Lordosis

Normal human lumbar and cervical regions demonstrate a particular degree of lordotic curvature, which means that the open side of the curve faces the rear of the body. These curves are necessary to help distribute weight and shock throughout the spinal column.

In hyperlordotic patients, these curves are mildly or greatly exaggerated. Normally, this condition is not problematic and causes no pain or symptoms. However, severe lordotic curvatures can cause health concerns and should be monitored by a qualified physician.

In contrast, the loss of lordotic spinal curve, also called a hypolordotic condition, can also be an issue, since the vertebral column is subjected to abnormal stresses.

Many patients come across the term loss of lordosis on their MRI reports, most commonly in the neck, but also prevalent in the lower back. The doctor will tell the patient that this means a decrease in normal spinal curvature, but will rarely elaborate to a meaningful degree. This often makes the patient feel very afraid, especially once they begin the research the condition and see that the curve should be greater than they now demonstrate.

In a great number of these cases where back or neck pain exists, there is actually no structural problem with the spinal curvature at all. Instead, the loss of the typical curve is due to the pull of painful, tight and/or spasming muscles in the vicinity. This is usually a transient condition, but can be ongoing especially when the pain is chronic. I have had this show up on my MRI reports since I was 16 and still do.

Lordotic Pain

Lordotic Curve Treatment

Lumbar Lordotic Change

Kyphosis

Hypokyphosis

Hyperkyphosis

Scheuermann's Kyphosis

Kyphosis Treatment

Military Neck

Straight Neck

Straight Spine

Straight Back

Flat Back

Sway Back

Normal Lordosis Condition

In a normal lordotic condition, shocks and stresses put upon the spine are evenly distributed, increasing spinal strength and the ability to absorb trauma. Changes in the normal curvature will affect these anatomical abilities to a lesser or greater extent, depending on the degree of increased or decreased curvature.

A multiply curved spine is one of the wonders of nature, since it is so much more efficient at providing strength, support and flexibility. An abnormal curve, be it permanent or temporary, can make a person feel odd posturally, weak, stiff, off balance and in pain. This is not a fun condition, even when it is quite innocent and caused by minor muscular issues.

What Causes Lordosis?

In atypical adult lordotic curvatures developed later in life, the chief causes are advanced spinal degeneration and arthritic changes. Back injury can also factor into this equation, since trauma can reshape the spine significantly. Finally, surgical spinal fusion can apply pressure to surrounding vertebral levels causing an increased or decreased lordotic effect.

The above are all permanent sources of increased or decreased lordotic curvature. As previously mentioned, the most common transitional source is muscular spasm which literally pulls the bones from their normal placement, causing the loss (or sometimes gain) of usual curve profile.

Recommendation on Spinal Lordosis

Advanced lordotic change can be a serious health crisis and should be monitored closely. Typical treatment for extreme hyperlordotic change involves hardware-assisted spinal fusion, which in itself can be more of a problem than a solution. Talk to your doctor concerning all your options before agreeing to any one particular back pain treatment modality.